Memorial Day

Yup, and before you say anything, I have a very good excuse for not writing last week. Uh...actually I forgot and that doesn't help my case at all, but I had my dance recital last Saturday which was AMAZING as always ;D Every year I get better. I was in 7 dances in the first show and 8 in the second. Plus I had to guide my classes through their routines behind the curtain not to mention costume changes and making sure my makeup didn't smear :p I was sooooooooooooooo tired afterwards :p Gotta love that adrenaline rush though. It can make you go for several hours with nothing to eat ;D ;) Then you feel like crap :p And I got so bruised up and I have no idea how they got on my body. One minute they're not there and the next...they are. And they're still there :p But anywho, I am at Houghton Lake right now at my grandparent's cottage with some family and friends like every year, so we're going to eat junk food, swim, have campfires, drink wine( :D ), and have a merry old time. Hope you all enjoy your weekend!

P.S. - Since I'm not home, I don't have my quote book with me, so you're gonna have to go without one for a week ;) Sowwy!

I know, I know!

BLAH! Yeah :p I'm soooooooo sorry I didn't post again last week! I was gone all day on Friday and didn't have any energy to post at night when I got home from 3 hours of Frisbee. But I got through finals and it feels GREAT! :D :D :D I also went to the opera last week with friends of mine which was amazing ;D We dressed up in formals and took lots of pics ;D The opera was La Boheme, and it was a *sniff sniff* tragedy. Which was actually pretty much a comedy until the last 15 minutes ;) Then the people who manage the program fed us wonderful pizza, which we look forward to every year ;) And on Monday I started my baby-sitting job for the summer which has been going very well. So everything is going...perfectly right now :) I'm just so content! Oh, and I forgot to post these "tag" questions from one of my dear followers ;) I'll explain the rules and then I'll tag some peeps...

So.  Rules and Restrictions:

1. It is imperative that these rules be plainly visible to all who can see and will see your blog. Therefore, post them at the top.
2. Because random facts about people tend to captivate interest, post 11 personal and insignificant facts about yourself. 
3. Answer your friend/acquaintance/fellow wanderer's 11 questions as well and as fully as you are able.
4. Ask 11 more questions on hopefully philosophical orotherwise thoughtful subjects.
5. Find 11 more  friends/acquaintances/fellow wanderers to tag--gently, please. 
6. Go to their blogs and inform them of the happy fact that they are now Officially Tagged and Must Do Your Bidding.

1.  If you had a choice between spending a day in a mountain forest or at the seaside, which would you choose and why?

The seaside. I love the feel of the warm grainy sand beneath my feet. Along with the beautiful color of the water and bright sunshine, it's a day in paradise.
2.  How do you define true beauty?

As someone who is in love with God.
3.  What's the one thing that, without fail, will always touch your heart?

The way a man looks at a woman who he loves with his whole heart.
4.  What's the one thing that, without fail, will always make you want to scream and yell and generally have a fit?

When someone thinks a foreign language is a different one than it's suppose to be. Like my dad who asked me if 'adieu' was French or Spanish. I thought he was messing with me. But when I looked at him with a smile on my face, his was serious and he was actually looking for an answer *Rolls eyes*
5.  What is your opinion on parasols?

They'd be fun to carry around :D
6.  If an old guy in a pointy hat came to your door one fine morning and asked you to participate in an Adventure, what would you do?  Think about it, now!

Depends. I wouldn't go alone, and I would take my gun and a knife with me.
7.  Poetry: hate it or love it?  Why or why not? (I sound like a test, sheesh.)

I like it. It speaks of many things. And...I think other people who can write it are geniuses. I can't write poetry if my life depended on it :p
8.  Do you have any passages of literature memorized? Why did you choose to memorize it, if so? (Songs do not count.)

Uh... “Fourscore and seven years ago...” “...tale of Paul Revere...” “It is a truth universally acknowledged that any man who is wealthy is in need of a wife.” (Or something like that :p )
9.  What do you wish most to accomplish by blogging?

To inspire people and show them that life is meant to be fun :)
10. What do you base your like or dislike of a film on?

The way people act and the script. I don't really like hearing the f-word or watching porno scenes :p
11.  Do you believe in the cliche saying "follow your heart"?  Why or why not?

I suppose. I don't follow my heart though. I try my best to follow God's heart :)

Now my questions...be afraid ;)

1. Have you ever been to a holy site in Europe?
2. Do you think makeup decreases or increases beauty?
3. Is it easier writing poetry or a book?
4. Do you think the culture needs to be more dignified?
5. Do you feel closer to God during the day or night and why?
6. Is bike riding or running easier?
7: What is your prince Charming like?
8. Are you a night owl or early bird?
9. Do you like jewelry or flowers from your imaginary knight? ;)
10. Picasso: Genius or cookuu?
11. Uh...JKF assassination. Conspiracy or not? (You don't have to answer that ;) ) 

  So the people I tag have to answer those last 11 questions on their blogs. And here are two quotes for you today:

"I wish you all the joy that you can wish." ~Shakespeare

"A beautiful thing is precious, no matter the price. Those who do not know how to see the precious things in life will never be happy." ~Beastly(the novel)

Happy trails! :)

Ugh, sorry people I forgot to tag! Okay...I'll just tag everyone. That's easiest ;) Answer the questions and put them on your blog!

Finals week and dance competition...

So...I had to get up at 6:20 this morning for a dance competition :p And I hate makeup. What I hate even more than makeup is stage makeup. I look like...a character from Night of the Living Dead. No joke :p Anywho it's a little after 10:30 and I had a full day. Dancing was fun ;D My parents watched the routines for the first time, and my mom said I was the most polished ;D And the most important(well, one of the most important to me), is that my kicks were straight up sky high ;D I've come to realize in the past few years that putting myself fully into a dance mood and the routine really pays off. I shouldn't be afraid of slipping or tripping, and I'm not. I've really grown as a dancer the past few years. But what's frustrating to me is some of the girls(and unfortunately the ones I had to dance with), only put so much into it. I don't think they care as much. Like they don't make an effort to come to practices unless pretty much forced. I think they try but it doesn't seem like it. So I feel like my talent that I've worked so hard to earn is being wasted and that's depressing for me. But I'm hoping I'll be able to fulfill my potential by joining the Baronettes ;) A lot of the routines were amazing, but watching 6-12 year olds and even teenagers thrusting, shaking, and gyrating is horrible to watch. Once again, no joke. Several times I thought I was at a strip club or watching pole dancers. Little girls as in 6 and 7 year olds were shaking while pumping and...it was darn right scary. Another dance with 15-16 year olds involved folding chairs and fishnet stockings with 3 inch heels and body shots of things that should be kept either down or out of sight. Yup. The thing I think that bothered me the most was that there men in the audience watching these girls. I don't have a problem with that besides the fact that they were...well...watching that. Just because these girls are young doesn't mean they don't have bodies. And they're being trained to get attention the wrong way. With the older girls do they care they're mistreating their bodies and provoking wrong things? My dance teacher said to us one time, "Imagine if Jesus was in the audience. Would He be ashamed about what you're doing and how you're using your body?" To me, doing crotch shots and rubbing your hands down your body suggestively along with rolling and shaking your behind to the audience and moving the top along with the bottom is something I think Jesus would enjoy watching. And yet He did today. It just makes me mad and sad at the same time. I really needed to get all that off my chest :p It also makes me mad that if I ever was able to join a studio where the girls were serious I'd most like end up in a dance like that. Not to brag or anything, but I actually am as good as all those pole dancers today( :p), because I've used the studio to dance by myself before and it's like a replica of their moves just appropriate. But I would never wear fishnets or gyrate. It's wrong. I want to be able to do my tour jetes, center leaps, and that cool jump where your arms are above your head and your back is arched while your leg is bent backwards and almost touching your head while the other is pointed in front for the glory of God, not to shame Him. And I'm hoping and praying that's what the Baronettes do. Until then, I continue to do fishnet worthy jumps and leaps at my own studio and wow everyone in the process ;)

Finals are on Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE pray for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) And your quote:

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness." ~John Keats

Never fear, I'm always here :p

I know, I know! I'm back once again. And I actually have a very good explanation for not posting last week. I was at Franciscan University having a tour of the campus and drooling over everything ;) And by the time I got back in the car for the 6 hour drive home, I honestly didn't feel like posting anything ;) ::) But it was wonderful to say the least, and I got to meet a member of the fairy tale novel forum, Lady John! ;D ;D I also decided that when I'm there I'm going to stick to the vegetarian bar ;) No freshmen-actually-junior-15 for me! ;D And there's a dance studio on the top floor of Finnegan Fieldhouse so needless to say I died and went to heaven ;D If that wasn't enough, there's also a dance team which I am determined to join! ;) ;D ;D ;D

Finals are in 2 weeks! If you could keep me and all the other college students in your prayers we'd be grateful!

And 2 quotes today:

 "Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another>" ~Unknown

"Consciousness: that annoying time between naps." ~Anonymous

Happy Easter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, I know Easter doesn't start for another...*glances at clock*...eleven hours and 55 minutes, but it sounds so much better than happy Holy Saturday ;) I really sorry I never posted last week, but I was busy all day Friday and I never had a chance to come on the computer at all. Nothing important happened, just to let you know if you're wondering ;) Oh, scratch that. This certain man I know suffered and died for me two thousand years before I was born. To quote a certain song, "He saw my face and He cried." You know, it wasn't really until last year or maybe the year before I began to understand what He did for us. And it just came to me yesterday during service. One of the greatest desires of my heart is to fall in love with a man who will defend me and even die for me just because he loves me so much. You know how when you watch movies like Princess Bride or even old Disney movies like Beauty and the Beast, you get that fluttery feeling in your heart whenever the Prince declares his undying love and devotion? I almost laughed when I realized: we already have a Prince. We have a Hero who defended us against our sins and what would have happened to us, and He willingly gave up His life for His princesses, which is you and me :) And I wish, I really really really wish I could begin to understand how much He loves me. I think I feel a glimpse of it when my heart begins to pump double time in church as I listen to the priest's words, or when we go and kiss the cross which is what moves me to tears. I think back to a conference I went to at Franciscan University last summer. I try and remember the joy, peace, and love I felt and I can't really remember. I do, but only a little bit. I can't even remember what adoration was like. I know what I was doing, but it's almost like it was a different person controlling my body. But I'm not worried that I can't remember. I know that it was because of the intense love I felt that I can't remember. It's something that I'm keeping so tucked away in my heart and soul, it's not meant to come out except during Good Friday. And during the rest of the year, I still love Him, but...see, I can't even really explain it. And I hope you don't think I mean that only on Good Friday I love Him. Wrong. I love Him every day. No matter what comes. Nothing tragic has ever really happened to me, and I pray it doesn't, but I always try to remember, "You give and take away, You give and take away. My heart will choose to say 'Lord blessed be Your name.'" So I'm hoping that each of you will come to realize that He loves you with a passion you will never be able to imagine. And tomorrow in church(or tonight if you're going to Vigil), you will sing your heart out. I don't care if you're tone-deaf, and neither does He. He wants to hear your praises. I know that on Easter Sunday at church I might look like an idiot because I sing as loud as the choir. But I am so happy, just so darn happy He is risen. And I don't know about your parish, but we have lots of strangers come in for the "Twice a year" Mass. These people need to know and hear how much you love Jesus with a personal love by the sound of your voice raising to the rafters. Don't let them look around seeing you not singing because you're "too cool" like a lot of the other teenagers. They will be inspired by your ever constant smile and life in your eyes. Show them that we're alive because of Him. Show them Jesus is worth more than "Twice a year" Mass. Show them Jesus' love :)

And guess what? I'm going to Franciscan for a visit this Friday! :D I'll be getting a tour and I get to sit in on a literature and Theology class! I'm so excited I might need to change my pants ;D

Here's two quotes: "I am known by another name in your world. You must learn to know me by it." ~Aslan
"If to dance is to dream, then you make dreams comes true." ~Anonymous

Have a holy and happy Easter :)

"I could have danced all night..."

So...happy Friday! :D Tomorrow is picture day at my dance studio which is always a bucket of joy ::) I love rehearsal and recital, but picture day is just cramped and hurrying and did I mentioned cramped? ;) ::) :p I'm going to be at the studio for three hours tomorrow b/c I'm in 7 dances and I teach classes, so...yeah :p But also tomorrow I get to go to a royal all with some of my closest friends! I'm sooooooooo excited! ;D ;D ;D We get to wear pretty dresses and do our hair and all that jazz ;) We get a full dinner and learn how to waltz and get our picture taken. Last year was the Disney ball, and we had one guy for our group of seven girls :p So my friend Liza(who you might know as Chris Bond), took off one of her shoes and the guy knelt down and held it up to us girls as we all "fought" for it ;) Then this old guy with a fancy camera found us and started taking picture and picture. It was like paparazzi ;D ;D I'm not kidding you, this guy was snapping pics of us for five minutes straight. Our poor "date" was getting a sore knee ::) ;)  I'm hoping there'll be more guys at this dance and that they'll have the courage to ask us to dance ::) I only danced with my girlfriends last year b/c there wasn't enough guys and I wasn't asked :p But I'm hoping I'll be able to dance with a guy this year who knows how to dance. And it wouldn't hurt if he was attractive *wiggles eyebrows* ;) ;D ;D 

I think I stared posting my book on here, so here's the next bit: 

I knew I was going to do my report on Rapunzel. My life is like hers. Going through the same pattern, day after day until you feel like a broken record. And four pages? I had more to write when I was homeschooled in younger grades. My dad's choice for me to do my senior year in public school was okay. Kind of. We were nearing the end of the first trimester, and I already felt like I was doing eighth grade work again.

Walking through the halls I went past my friend's locker and left a small smiley face sticker on it. That's our tradition. I walk past his, I place one on. He walks past mine, he places on it. We're as thick as thieves. I've known Joseph for almost my whole life. We both decided to come to the high school for our last year together and face the demons head on.

And Joseph wasn't at all like any of the other empty headed jocks running around. He had the build of an athlete, because of swimming, but luckily not the brains of one. Smart as a whip, he was already in the top ten seniors category. I would never make it because of stupid math and useless Chemistry. I stink at both of them, so that's why I have Joseph tutoring me. Because of him, I got up to high B's. My pony-tail swished side to side happily as I continued on my way to practice.

Gymnastics has been my thing, other than school. Staying in shape and toned was a big part of my life, and I'm never going to loose it. I can thank my parents for being the health nuts they are. I pushed open the metal doors to the large practice area, and the usual smell of sweat and disinfectant made my nose have a field day. Going over to my spot on the bleachers, I stripped down to my leotard and double wrapped my pony-tail.

“Hey Lorelei,” my coach, Gina Frazier said, glancing up from her clipboard.

“Hi,” I greeted back, and went to stretch over on the mats. I smiled to several of the other girls on the team, then breathed in deeply to bend over. My muscles creaked, but then went into normal flexibility. After a good fifteen minutes our coach called us over to the mats at the other side of the gym.

“This week we will start working on our routines for Divisions. So all of you on the floor. Time to choreograph.” My feet lightly padded the floor as I took my place in the second row. “We will do a beginning two minute routine, then split into the normal groups.” Mrs. Frazier said. “Rosa, Maggie, Felicia, and Debbie, I want you to do two chaines into a stag jump then a diving somersault. Heidi, Lorelei, Bianca, Tracy, and Regina, I want you to to a back walkover with two chaines and an illusion. Patty, Natasha, Caroline, and Holly I want you to do a one hand cartwheel into a front walkover and a toe touch. On my count, go.” I let practice sweep me away, forgetting my worries.

And here is your quote:

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." ~Romeo and Juliet

Happy weekend! :)

Happy birthday Anna!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, another birthday ;) My friend Anna is turning the big 16 tomorrow, and I'm going to her b-day party today. I just wanted to give her a big shout out because I love her a lot too! ;D ;D ;D

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY ANNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


And guess what?! I met one of my favorite authors on Thursday night, Julie Lessman.She write the Daughters of Boston series and Winds of Change series which is a continuation of DoB. The books are historical romances, and trust me when I say right out that these are not the Amish books. They're filled with passion, longing, rivalry, adventure, secrets, and the reality of how much God loves us. So Julie spoke and signed all five of my books. My aunt and I also got our picture taken with her and we got to have an actual conversation with her for near ten minutes ;D ;D My head was soooooooooo in the clouds! ;D ;D She said I was adorable and sweet, and I had a heart full of God's love and He has great plans for me ;D I just stood there nodding and grinning like an idiot ::) ;) ;D ;D But here's the links to her books(in order), and go ahead and read the first chapters of the books. They're amazing! The O'Connor family has become my second family ;D I want to come down in the morning in the kitchn and tell them "good morning!" ;D

http://www.fictionfinder.com/book/detail/328

http://www.fictionfinder.com/book/detail/329

http://www.fictionfinder.com/book/detail/330

http://www.fictionfinder.com/book/detail/948

http://www.fictionfinder.com/book/detail/1422

Okay, I'm going to start posting my story on here. It's a retelling of Rapunzel, and I haven't written in it since...January :p But here's the beginning:

A Ribbon in the Tower

Chapter One

Where should I start? The beginning of my day. The middle of my day. The end of my day. It's all one big blur, and no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to find a start and finish. Maybe I should focus more.....but when I focus too much on one thing, my mind wanders to another bigger one. Lord, keep me sane!, I thought, rubbing my fingers on my tired eyes. It was the last class of the day, the one I hated to love. Hated to love. Imagine a glorious forty five minutes dedicated to fairy tales and poetry, then comes in the timid, tired mouse.

Our teacher, miss Elinor Ash, had received her doctorate in English and British Literature from Oxford. From her high society name down to her proper demeanor, this woman was a left over from the eighteenth century. I felt bad for her, I suppose. Miss Ash seemed to love anything that had to do with literature, but why leave the mother country to come here to loud America, I wonder?

Was it that they had too many Miss Ash's in England? Or possibly she was enchanted by tales of the free land, where anything goes. Personally, I think the school board was so desperate to find a teacher who lived and breathed literature they looked all the way over the ocean. And that's where my dilemma comes in. I love this class. Essays on the tales every two weeks, then an essay on the next poem two weeks after that. Story, then poem. Story, then poem. I got A's in this class. But Miss Ash? I would get an F trying to figure her out.

“Afternoon everyone. Please turn your books to 255.” Elinor Ash got straight to work. After I found the page number, I felt my body hum with anticipation. Rapunzel. One of my favorites of all time.

“Since this is the last story of the trimester, we're going to be spending a little more time on it.” Miss Ash began. Some of the boys in the class found the page number, then groaned and slumped in their chairs.

“Seriously?” One of them asked. “What are we supposed to learn from this? That the longer hair gets it becomes more infested with bugs?” Miss Ash looked down at her petite feet, then looked back up, her blue eyes strained. “No, Mr. Trent. We are going to learn the truth of independence and the reality of love. Lesson number one: love that tries to own you pushes you further. Love that gives space brings much more in.”

Huh. That had to be one of the most philosophical statements Miss Ash has ever made.

“That is why I feel to get the most out of this class and all we have learned, you're last assignment will be to write a four page report on a fairy tale or poem of your choice.” Groans and disgusted sighs resounded throughout the room. I was the only one smiling. Writing? Loved it. Writing on a fairy tale of my choosing? I was in heaven.

***** 

Finally, here's your quote for today:

"In returning to Me and resting in Me, you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength." ~Isaiah 30:15

Have a wonderful weekend and week ahead! :)